Newscenter Media News Former Kano State governor and Chairman of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has dismissed the recent formation of a coalition of opposition figures led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He stated that as far as they stand, they lack the necessary political structure to challenge or defeat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Shekarau who made the assertion in a statement on Saturday following the announcement of the formation of a Coalition of Opposition Political Parties (CNPP) by Atiku, former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi and immediate past Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, stated categorically that no opposition coalition can unseat Tinubu and the APC in 2027.
In the statement, Shekarau, himself a former presidential candidate, said the emerging alliance among opposition figures in the country was merely a partnership of individuals aspiring for president or vice president rather than a structured political coalition.
He argued that having prominent names in an alliance does not automatically translate to a unified political front as what is needed on such a coalition is a strong political structure which they currently lack.
The former Kano governor further noted that the coalition does not have the backing of the leadership of major opposition parties, particularly the PDP and the LP as it is only driven by individuals rather than established political structures, making it unlikely to pose a serious threat to the APC’s dominance.
“This is just a gathering of certain individuals with political ambitions; none of them has officially consulted their party leadership,” Shekarau said in the statement.
“The coming together of some senior members of opposition parties is a welcome development, as seen recently under what they call a ‘coalition’ of opposition parties. But unfortunately, most people do not realize that this so-called coalition has nothing to do with the major opposition parties; PDP and LP.”
Contrasting the current alliance with the 2013 merger that led to the formation of the APC, which involved the unification of four registered parties; the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the former Kano governor said:
“The first political merger in Nigeria happened in 2013 when four registered parties merged to form the APC. So, technically, the APC is not a ‘new party.’
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“It was an alliance of registered opposition political parties that were already well-established, with elected state governors, state and National Assembly members, and significant grassroots support.
“What happened at the National Assembly on March 20, 2025, regarding the ‘State of Emergency’ in Rivers State has exposed the so-called coalition. it is clear they have no control over opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly.
“If the coalition leaders had any real influence, the APC government would not have secured the required votes for the law’s passage.
“The 2019 ‘coalition’ was formally launched almost a year before the elections at the Yar’Adua Center, yet none of the then-elected PDP leaders was in attendance.
“No amount of noise-making or informal alliances by individual politicians in the name of opposition will have any impact in elections unless the full leadership structure of opposition parties at all levels is involved.
“It is however, not too late. I believe that with the right vision, mission, and focus, combined with a genuine sense of purpose, the opposition can change its narrative in 2025 and position itself for success in the 2027 elections.”
In conclusion, Shekarau noted that only registered political parties can form an official merger, making it clear that the recent alliance remained an informal gathering rather than a legally recognised coalition.
“The coalition of opposition figures is a good development, as seen in their recent meeting under what they call an opposition alliance. However, none of the key figures involved represents their party leadership,” Shekarau added.
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